7 Eggnog Variations You Have to Try

Eggnog is a seasonal drink that appeals to many, and the popular eggnog flavor can be enjoyed via a number of different formulas. Some prepare the rich drink in its traditional form, while others prefer when it is a riff on the original. Eggnog can also be alcoholic, or it can be booze-free. It’s up for you to decide. We’re rounding up seven eggnog recipes that will show you how to make a handful of the eggnog varieties at home. Stay away from store-bought eggnog and instead enjoy the homemade indulgence.

1. Classic Eggnog

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First up is the classic eggnog formula from Alton Brown featured on Food Network. Make this eggnog in its egg yolk, heavy cream, and bourbon glory and you won’t regret it. ‘Tis the season for indulging. This eggnog makes 6 to 7 cups and will take you 15 minutes of your time. It includes bourbon on its ingredients list but you can always leave out the booze if the young ones want in on the fun, too.

2. Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

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Here’s another way to make eggnog from A Sweet Pea Chef, and this formula doesn’t include bourbon or whole milk. Instead, it goes the sweetened, condensed milk route. Egg yolks are still on the ingredients list, but you also have a number of different spices including cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make this non-alcoholic eggnog for everyone at your holiday party and enjoy the beverage without worrying about the booze.

3. Cooked Custard Eggnog

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Some people turn down eggnog because they are turned off by the idea of raw eggs in their drink. This formula for Cooked Custard Eggnog from Martha Stewart is for them. Martha’s recipe avoids the raw eggs but still yields a drink that boasts the iconic beverage’s rich flavor. Heavy cream and dark rum are enlisted in the eggnog, as are egg yolks. This time, however, they’re first getting cooked with milk and sugar to make a custard.

4. No-Egg Eggnog

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And if you don’t want eggs in your nog at all, you can make this no-egg eggnog from Mr. Food. We told you there was an eggnog formula for everyone. This one uses vanilla pudding and pie filling in place of the eggs, and also enlists milk, rum extract, confectioners sugar, and heavy cream. You can serve this non-alcoholic egg-free eggnog to all of your guests without worry, and it still tastes indulgent.

5. Vegan Eggnog

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You knew this one was coming. There has to be vegan riff on the eggnog formula and this one from The Roasted Root is the ticket. Say goodbye to eggs, heavy cream, and whole milk, and hello to homemade cashew milk, coconut milk, maple syrup, and dates. Vegan eggnog doesn’t taste like the original, but it may taste even better, and this kind definitely won’t give you a stomach ache. If you’re looking for a new eggnog recipe, try the vegan kind and see if you can get down with a naturally sweetened version of the holiday beverage.

6. Vegan Eggnog with Almond Milk

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Another formula for dairy-free eggnog comes from The Green Forks and it not only enlists coconut milk, but almond milk, too. The recipe for this vegan eggnog serves 1 or 2 and it can easily be made alcoholic or booze-free depending on if you include the rum on the ingredients list. Similar to the previously highlighted dairy-free eggnog, this seasonal beverage is naturally sweetened with agave nectar or maple syrup, and it still tastes indulgent thanks to soaked cashews that lend a thick creaminess. Make this on a night when you’re craving a treat but don’t need to go overboard, and you’ll be happy with your vegan choice.

7. Eggnog with Tofu

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Last but not least: eggnog with tofu. Don’t knock it until you try it. This eggnog from Chocolate Covered Katie contains ½ cup of silken tofu, but you won’t even be able to taste it as you enjoy a healthier riff on the thick, creamy seasonal treat. Even better, the drink can easily be mastered in a blender and is sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan, cholesterol-free, low-fat, and gluten free. Now no one will have to resist eggnog, and with one serving yielding only 86 calories, no one will have to. Cast your reservations aside and indulge in eggnog mastered with tofu.